Here are some comments I saved when I was looking for my first cruiser. I believe these are Al's words. Very good read IMO.

"I don't like to comment on brands, that is to say if one brand is good or bad. When I do comment on a brand, its usually to point out an example, like brand XYZ has this feature I like or dislike.

In that realm of thought, I would like to offer things you should look for in a cruiser regardless of what brand it is.

A cruiser is expensive, very complicated, and has more systems than a typical bowrider or cuddy. For this reason, the features and design characteristics may become more important than the boat brand.

For instance, in a cruiser;

1. Does it have one or two batteries?
2. If multiple batteries, can they be charged by the engine simultaneously?
3. Does the boat have a head or porti-pottie?
4. Is the size of the holding tank adequate?
5. Is the size of the freshwater tank adequate?
6. Is the head/shower compartment leak proof?
7. Does the foredeck contain any trip hazards, and is it prone to slipping (i.e. is it rounded rather than flat)? Remember, the admiral might be up there each time you dock.
8. Does the windshield have a walkthrough to the foredeck?
9. Is there adequate steps to the foredeck from the cockpit?
10. Does the camper canvas go the full length, or is it truncated at the stern?
11. Are there ventilation screens in the camper canvas.
12. Is there adequate ventilation in the cabin?
13. In the head?
15. Is there a rear berth?
14. Is the rear berth adequate for adults, or kids only?
16. Does the rear berth have adequate ventilation?
17. Is there an adequate anchor locker, easily accessable?
18. Is there adequate storage room?
19. If your kid drops grape juice out of the refridgerator, can you pull up the carpet from the cabin floor?
20. Are maintenance items, such as freshwater pump and filter, shower sump, AC pump and filter, and other items easy to reach?
21. Are the portholes/windows in the cabin prone to leak?
22. Does the boat have trim tabs (which I believe are essential for a cruiser)?
23. Does the boat have the performance you are looking for?
24. Is the gas tank large enough?
25. Are deck fittings such as holding tank pumpout, and fresh water inlet easy to get to, and more importantly, to identify?
26. Is there a refrigerator?
27. If so, does it work on both AC and DC?
28. Is the cabin interior easy to keep clean?
29. Does the boat have an extended swim platform (highly desireable on any large boat with a camper canvas that stays on a long time)?
30. Is the camper canvas easy to put up and take down?
31. Is there shorepower (incredibily, this is/was an option on some cruisers)?
32. Are the sleeping quarters comfortable?
33. Does the front berth convert into a bed or dinette easily.
34. Does the head use freshwater or seawater for flushing?
35. Are the bilge pump(s) directly wired to the battery (via a circuit breaker or fuse), so they cannot accidently be turned off?
36. Are their CO detectors in the sleeping area(s)?
37. Does the boat have a hot-water heater that can be heated by the engine as well as shorepower?
38. If the boat has underwater thru-hulls, are the easily accessable, so they can be turned on and off?
39. And most importantly, is there adequate room on the transom for a properly sized boat name?
40. Do you really need to tow your boat?
41. Have you considered the total cost of ownership?
42. If 26ft or larger, it the boat NMMA "Yacht Certified"?
43. Does the boat have an automatic fire suppression system and vapor detectors?
44. Does the boat have a electric/alcohol stove or just an electric stove?


Some of these characteristics may not be important to you, but if you rank them accordingly to your needs, then it is going to be easier to select the right boat.

If you are contemplating used, cruiser models change occasionally - so depending on the year, the boat may or may not be attractive to you.

And for the record, my cruiser does not meet all of the characteristics above, but the ones it did not were not as important to me; which basically, is why the boat was a good match, and we purchased it."